Albion Heights plans event despite disappointment

When the Thorpe-Westwood Neighborhood Council first planned its cleanup day, it was hoping to spruce up the Albion Heights area for more than the sake of a good spring cleaning.

Albion Heights will still be cleaned up Saturday, but the residents learned 2½ weeks ago it’s only a matter of time before the 23 acres of wilderness will be bought by a developer.

If the residents had had their way, the city-owned land would have been designated as Spokane County conservation property.

Some homeowners, among the 250 who live on the top of the Grandview area bluff, had begun a letter-writing campaign to the Spokane County Conservation Futures Program. However, on April 25 they were stopped cold when the Spokane City Council voted 4-3 not to participate in a necessary application signing.

“It was a disappointment,” said Erick Keating, a 21st Avenue resident and one of the organizers of the campaign. “I knew it was going to be an uphill battle, but I was surprised we didn’t make it over the first hurdle.”

Council President Dennis Hession and council members Cherie Rodgers, Bob Apple and Al French were against the idea. Council members Brad Stark, Mary Verner and Joe Shogan voted in favor of participating in a conservation program.

Stark and Verner represent the city’s South Side council district, which includes the land – south of 17th Avenue, west of D Street and north of 21st Avenue.

Dave Mandyke, the city’s assistant director of public works and utilities, said four prominent housing development companies have bid on the $375,000 land. Those bidding are Jim Frank of Greenshore Corp., Richand Dahm of R.T. Development, Robert Frisch of TFH Corp. Inc., and Albion Heights LLC, consisting of Tim Welsh, Frank Etter, Clancy Welsh, Hollis Barnett, Rick Thompson and Lance Pounder.

Mandyke said a decision, which will be voted on by the council, should happen within the next few weeks.

Naturally, many Albion Heights residents had hoped for something different. For many, the rural property served as their own private hiking grounds.

The Conservation Futures Program “protects lands with outstanding natural features, including areas that enhance natural or scenic resources.”

“Hopefully, whoever purchases the land will develop it nicely,” said Candace Smallfoot of 21st Avenue.